Joanne Bell, who is studying Building Surveying at Glasgow Caledonian University, has been announced as regional winner of the Association of Women in Property (WiP) National Student Awards 2008.

Joanne wins £500, an opportunity for a work placement, free membership of the Association upon graduating and the opportunity to participate in the WiP mentoring programme whereby a mentor will support them in their early career.

The awards were launched in 2007 to mark the 20th birthday of the Association. Fuelled by their success, WiP is again running the scheme with 25 Universities putting forward their rising stars, a total of 41 of the most talented students from across the country. The awards are open to third year, female students studying a Built Environment Course and are run in conjunction with the Construction Youth Trust (CYT).


Joanne will now go head to head with winners from nine other regions across the UK, in a national final for a prize of £1,000 as the 'Best of the Best' which takes place at Claridge's in London on 23rd September.

Joanne said: "Winning the regional award will help me so much in terms of giving me opportunities I wouldn't have had before, to develop my skills and experience. It has also really helped improve my interview techniques, ready for the final judging panel in September."

Lesley Woolfries, regional Chairman, Central Scotland Branch, of WiP, said: "We are delighted for Joanne. This is a very tough competition, with the brightest and most impressive students in her field coming forward. I would like to thank all of the students who took part. Our aspiration as an organisation is to recognise excellence, encourage up and coming talent and nurture the role models of tomorrow. The National Student Awards do just that."

(GK/JM)